PCT 2007 - Day 150 - Trap Pass - Glasses Lake

Day 150 8-22-07 Tarp Tent T 5100′
Trap Pass – Just past Glasses Lake
23.6 miles; 2488.0 (79.36) total miles; 4332.6 trip miles
60-70’s, sun, and clouds
Days camped alone 29

2007 PCT Critter Tour General Category
1- Deer count is 132
2- Marmot count is 112
3- Elk count is 65
4- Pika count is 54
5- Goat count is 21
6- Slug count is 14
7- Bear count is 7
8- Rattlesnake count is 6
9- Martin count is 1
10- Badger count is 1

!!!The Pikas and Marmots both moved closer to their leading competitors. It would seem we might have both of them on the podium in Manning!!!

Today I woke to a dew covered tent inside and out. I’m hoping I won’t have the same tomorrow. I got up late as usual. Once I got going, I started seeing pikas right away. My foot also started hurting right away, too. The pain in the left one is pretty much gone, it just the ball of the right one that kills. The rocky trail of late hasn’t help.

I passed Trap Lake, and then at Hope Lake, I ran into what appeared to be a family of 5 and a boyfriend. While I spoke to them, another gentleman came by on a side trail. I then climbed to Mig Lake and further up to a saddle. On the saddle I met a father and his two sons. Next up was Josephine Lake and then Lake Susan Jane. I then traversed a massive rock slide to a power line just south of the ski resorts back chairlift. I then climbed up to the top of the lift and to another saddle. At the top I met two older gentlemen doing a flip flop (start in Mexico, hike north to a certain point, then travel up to Canada and hike south to the point where you stopped).

From the top of the ski slope, I just had to descend to the pass. I called Scott and he was on his way up the trail to meet me. I met him about halfway down. We descended together and when we got to the road, we decided to drive to Leavenworth. As I sat in the van with Scott I realized how really tired I am. It was so nice to seat there and do nothing. My body is worn down and needs a break. I also need a break from the constant feeling I have to be moving all the time. I want to sit in one place more than anything, and just do nothing. I needed seam sealer for my tent and we needed lunch. I got the sealer first off and then we hit a burger & pizza shop. I got a cheeseburger, fries, and a large chocolate shake. So tasty! We didn’t stay long since Scott had to take his very old cat, Benny, to the vet for a checkup. Once back to the pass, I basically threw all the stuff I needed out of the van and double and triple checked I had everything. Scott took off and I went about the business of organizing all my stuff. I got everything packed and then sent off my email. I then had to find the trail head. Once I found it I made a couple of calls and it was off to the woods.

The second part of the day started with a 2.5 miles flat walk. I think it was an old railroad bed. It soon turned uphill and climbed to a saddle. Just before the saddle, there was a huge rock slide and I stopped to try and use the phone one more time and the mosquitoes were terrible.

I realized I had miss figured my days and miles when I told my friend Gordy when I would meet him. I did the math and if I skipped Stehekin, which I don’t need to go to except to experience it, I will have to do 26-27 mile days for the next 4 days. It doesn’t sound bad but I do have a section of trail that has not been maintained and has been damaged by a storm in 2003. I hope it doesn’t slow me down too much.

Once past the mosquito infested rock slide, I descended a bit to Lake Valhalla, where the bugs were also bad. I got water and moved on. I continued to descend to Lake Janus, where I battled the bugs and cooked dinner. I won the battle by putting on my rain suit. I almost stayed there, but my math was figured on me doing a few more miles. Only problem was I had a super steep climb to do. I said screw the bugs and was off. The climb dragged on and on and the light faded fast. Near the top I thought I had found a side trail to a sweet little spot, but it was just a small lookout. I pushed on traversing through another boulder field. Again I thought I might have found a flat spot, but no dice. Now it was dark and the low clouds were making it hard to see.

Once I turned on my head lamp, I could barely see 10′. It was like driving in thick fog without fog lights. I descended to what was probably the meadow I was looking for and then the trail started to climb. My book said the campsite I wanted was on the west end of the meadow, so I got concerned and stopped to check the map. It didnt help one bit! I went a little bit further and found a side trail to a great spot. I set up camp and then it was time to write this.

The new shoes helped my foot a lot. I think the other ones were past due to be thrown away and that is why my feet hurt so badly. These new ones are stiffer and support my feet better.

Scatman 2011-

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Scatman

Get out there!